Circular country between Saint-Médard-d'Eyrans and Isle-Saint-Georges

A peaceful ride through the green countryside of the Gironde, with very few vineyards for a change, but woods, hay meadows and green pastures, as well as streams, marshes and esteys, thanks to its proximity to the Garonne.
Please note: a large part of the walk is on roads, so caution is advised

Details

7216262
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.57 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 16 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 16 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 36 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 10 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Coming from Bordeaux via the Deux Mers motorway, take exit 1 "Martillac - Saint-Médard d'Eyrans", then follow signs for "La Brède - Saint-Médard d'Eyrans", then "Saint-Médard d'Eyrans - Isle-Saint-Georges". Then, in the town, follow signs for "Cadaujac" (or "église") and cross the level crossing. The road goes around the church on the right: park in the gravel car park enclosed by log barriers.

(S/E) Take the Chemin de la Bugonne, which first runs alongside the multi-sports hall and its car park, then the water treatment plant, which you leave on your left.
After this, the track, which has been very passable up to this point, becomes semi-passable and runs alongside a forest, then meadows.

(1) Leave the track, which continues straight ahead along the (paved) Petit Brésil path. Turn right at a right angle onto the paved road. After 300-400 metres, just after the intersection with a road on your right, you will pass Château Turpaut. Further on, the road turns left at a right angle and passes under a power line. Continue to the village, which you will cross, and then follow the signs for "Ayguemorte - Bautiran".

(2) Opposite the church, cross the bridge and turn right along the Ruisseau de Saucats. At an iron cross, the road leaves the Saucats. At this iron cross, take the dirt path that runs along the right bank of the Saucats (on your left as you turn your back on the village). Follow this pleasant path along the stream until you soon reach the road and arrive at a footbridge.

(4) Cross this footbridge and you will now be on the left bank of the Saucats. Continue upstream towards the west, then south.

(5) You will arrive at the road between Ayguemorte-les-Graves (on your left) and Saint-Médard d'Eyrans (on your right). Those who enjoy beautiful religious buildings can make a detour to admire the beautiful church of Ayguemortes on the main street. Otherwise, turn right and continue for about 600 metres, where at certain times of day you may encounter some traffic.

(6) Leave this road by turning right onto a very quiet road that passes in front of the beautiful Château d'Eyrans (Chemin du Château). Take the opportunity to admire the beautiful traditional stone and wooden building on the left, opposite the vineyard, and the Château d'Eyrans a little further on the right.

(7) After the château, turn left onto Rue des Fauvettes, which gradually leads into the village and joins the station district.

(8) Turn left and cross the level crossing. If you're feeling curious, you can make a return trip to admire the beautiful old station building, which has been converted into a cultural centre. Otherwise, turn right towards the town centre.

(9) After passing a square adorned with a beautiful umbrella pine tree, turn right towards Cadaujac and continue towards the church that can be seen in the distance.

(S/E) Return to the car park opposite the church and the stadiums.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 20 ft - Sports ground car park - Saint-Médard (Saint-Médard-d'Eyrans)
  2. 1 : mi 0.97 - alt. 13 ft - Turn right at the fork
  3. 2 : mi 2.29 - alt. 20 ft - Bridge over the Saucats
  4. 3 : mi 2.41 - alt. 13 ft - Cross
  5. 4 : mi 2.95 - alt. 13 ft - Footbridge
  6. 5 : mi 3.93 - alt. 20 ft - Road between Ayguemortes and Saint-Médard d'Eyrans
  7. 6 : mi 4.41 - alt. 33 ft - Towards the Château d'Eyrans
  8. 7 : mi 4.66 - alt. 23 ft - Crossroads at Rue des Fauvettes
  9. 8 : mi 5.1 - alt. 36 ft - Level crossing
  10. 9 : mi 5.33 - alt. 30 ft - Crossroads
  11. S/E : mi 5.57 - alt. 20 ft - Sports ground car park - Saint-Médard (Saint-Médard-d'Eyrans)

Notes

Date of the hike: 28 April 2015 - redone in autumn 2022 and modified after this second visit.

This walk is not difficult and therefore does not require any special equipment. As part of the route is on a track or paved road, despite the charm I found in it, I would not recommend it to those who do not like walking on hard surfaces, even though I have improved it considerably since the first version.

The route can be covered entirely by bicycle, but as it would be a little short, it can be combined with a much longer circular in the Martillac, Saucats and La Brède areas.

Furthermore, it presents no difficulty for wheelchair users, who will find it a varied and enjoyable route, although care should be taken on the 600 m section between points (5) and (6).

Worth a visit

Although we have avoided the vineyards somewhat, they are very present in this area, as we are here in the Graves region, and as such there are a host of châteaux in the vicinity, and for wine lovers, there is the possibility of visits, tastings and purchases directly from the estates.

Also worth noting in the immediate vicinity is the Saucats geological reserve. A visit to the fossil collection is a must, as is a guided tour: a pleasant and interesting walk in the forest to discover new things, which can be repeated without a guide afterwards, as beyond its scientific interest, it remains a lovely walk (notably the mill on the Saucats).

Last but not least, there is the Château de la Brède, home of Montesquieu, which is open to visitors all year round and whose grounds are free to enter.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 20 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
3.9 / 5
stjo
stjo

@bx86 Yes, I know the stork and the heron – they’re Marcel and Josette!

Machine-translated

bx86
bx86

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello
There isn’t much to add to the comment from November 2022, other than to note that the level crossing on the road leading to the starting point has indeed been closed permanently. You’ll need to follow the diversion signposted ‘église’ (due to work on the high-speed rail line).

The roads and paths are still quiet, with no difficulties whatsoever.
Few animals to be seen apart from a stork and a heron, though there were quite a few young horses (a good fifteen or so) in the meadows running alongside the road to Isle-Saint-Georges.

Kind regards

Machine-translated

garbaye.alain@wanadoo.fr
garbaye.alain@wanadoo.fr

Hello. “It is said” that a pedestrian crossing is to be installed at the closed level crossing. This information is yet to be confirmed,

Machine-translated

stjo
stjo

Yes, @Minos, I’ve been able to see the construction work on this new street on Google Maps. I sincerely sympathise with the few residents living on this new street, for whom peace and quiet is now nothing but a distant memory.

Machine-translated

Minos
Minos

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I suggest doing the route in the opposite direction so that you finish in the countryside.

PLEASE NOTE: the level crossing at point 9 is permanently closed. From point 8, you should no longer cross the railway line but carry on straight ahead: a new road has been built.

Machine-translated

bernardoreyen
bernardoreyen

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, easy hike. The only downside: at the end of the circular route, be careful when walking along the road that runs alongside the railway line. There is a lot of traffic, which tends to drive too fast on this straight stretch. It is essential to walk in single file.

Machine-translated

garbaye.alain@wanadoo.fr
garbaye.alain@wanadoo.fr

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant hike for 80% of the route. The section along the road running parallel to the railway line requires great care, as there is heavy traffic in both directions and the verges are not great.

Machine-translated

User 16321991

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Apart from a bit of everything about a kilometre away
Great route

Machine-translated

SYLLAV
SYLLAV
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant little country walk , mostly along the "Saucats" through fields. The section on the fairly busy road is really not very long, less than 500 metres. Very nice

Machine-translated

jiced
jiced

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We had time to enjoy a hot drink in a grocery store-café
on Isle Saint Georges and were very warmly welcomed even though we arrived just as they were closing.
No particular problems

Machine-translated

Malo2203
Malo2203

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy and pleasant hike, we recommend it

Machine-translated

stjo
stjo

@Ludodu78 Allow me to correct you: the section of road that is "very busy" and "fast-moving" (deliberately put in quotation marks) is not after the point (6) but between the point (5) and the point (6) - Oh... just over 600 metres!

Machine-translated

Ludodu78
Ludodu78

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello
As described. I would just add that after the start, and quite quickly up to point 3, the walk is on a road. It is not very busy, but it is less pleasant than from point 3 in Îles Saint Georges.
In fact, from point 6 onwards, the road is very busy with cars travelling at high speed.
Nevertheless, thank you to the contributor for this hike.

Machine-translated

elisa943
elisa943

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
Hike completed on 26/05/2023 from Saint Médard D'Eyrans at around 11 a.m.
I parked at the large car park by the multi-sports hall.
I found this walk very pleasant, with a special mention for the section that runs along the Saucats on one bank, then on the other, even though you're in full sun on this part.
I was a little unsure about finding the trail again from the village of Isle Saint Georges.
I wasn't too bothered by the road sections, as there weren't too many cars out early in the afternoon.
The view of Turpault Castle and the traditional building at the end of the route is worth the detour.
It's a shame that this area is threatened by the future high-speed rail line, as is written everywhere.
The explanations are quite sufficient to complete the route without getting lost. Thank you.

Machine-translated

RP33
RP33

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, shaded walk. A beautiful country stroll on the outskirts of Bordeaux. Isle Saint George is well worth a short stop.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.